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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: HIS3004 Module Title: BRITAIN IN THE WORLD SINCE 1945
Module Provider: English Short Name: HG08X
Level: HE3 Module Co-ordinator: FLETCHER T Dr (English)
Number of credits: 20 Number of ECTS credits: 10
 
Module Availability
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark %
Essay 
50%
Oral Presentation
10%
Examination
40%
Qualifying Condition(s)
 
Essay (50% of total assessment)
 
           1 written essay of 2500 – 3000 words or equivalent
 
Oral Presentation (10% of total assessment)
 
           15 minutes oral presentation
 
Examination (40% of total assessment)
 
           A seen paper


The essay will encourage students to develop their independent research skills as well as their ability to evaluate historical interpretations on the subject. They will also be encouraged to develop skills in written presentation, organisations and communication.
The examination paper is designed to develop further student’s academic discipline, mental organisation and powers of synthesis and analysis under pressure and will enable students to demonstrate personal initiative and self-motivation in their studies. The presentation provides students with an opportunity to develop their oral communication skills and engage in personal research into a chosen topic. Tutor feedback on written formative work is designed to support the student’s learning and to contribute to their fulfilment of the module learning outcomes in the formal assessment.
Module Overview
This history module at level 3 of the Combined Studies degree concentrates on 20th Century British Culture. At the same time it reflects changes in Global Society by considering Britain in the world. Theoretical understanding of changing world power structures provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to relate national and international concepts such as globalisation. 
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
60 credits at Level 2
Module Aims
  • To explore how developments in international relations since 1945 have shaped Britain’s post war history and vice versa.
  • To understand the theoretical issues that motivated change or lack of it in this period.
  • To consider issues relating to globalisation.
  • To introduce areas of historiographical debate in relation to this period.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the main events, personalities and issues of the period.
  • Show a critical understanding and awareness of areas of historiographical debate relating to this subject.
Cognitive / Intellectual Skills
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyse and critically evaluate the overarching themes of the period.
  • Demonstrate the ability to synthesise ideas and key issues relevant to the topic.
Key / Transferable / Practical Skills
  • Interact in group discussion and synthesise ideas effectively.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas in assignments both oral and written without guidance
  • Demonstrate the ability to meet deadline and manage study-time efficiently.
  • Further develop ability to engage in critical analytical thinking.
In order to achieve the threshold standard for the award of credits for this module, the student must meet the following criteria related to the learning outcomes described above:
  • Evidence of knowledge of the main events and personalities in Britain and the World as explored in this module since 1945.
  • Evidence of awareness of the historiographical debates of this period.
  • Evidence of some synthesis of ideas applying them in given assignments.
  • The ability to communicate ideas in assignments both oral and written without guidance.
Module Content
The module will begin with an introduction to the historiography of contemporary British history. Concepts of decline will be critically evaluated, and students will consider ways in which such concepts have contributed to post-war political debate. The nature and extent of British decline will then be assessed in relation to major events and changes in global politics since 1945. These will include the origins of the Cold War, decolonisation, the Suez Crisis, the Vietnam war, and the development of the European Community. In each instance, there will be consideration of how far Britain contributed to Global change, and of the impact of such changes on domestic politics. The module will then introduce concepts of globalisation. Students will examine, and make an initial assessment of, the extent to which the process of globalisation has shaped the course of British politics. The module will then explore the relationship between domestic and foreign politics in relation to a selection of key global issues, including the economy, the environment, and national sovereignty.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
12 x 2 hours sessions plus day school.

The Teaching and Learning Strategy is designed to ensure that students are able to display the knowledge and skills outlined in the learning outcomes for this module. Strategies adopted will encourage students to interact in classroom and group discussion and to reflect on their own learning. Close critical study of a variety of primary and secondary historical source materials will develop greater understanding of the key issues.
 
The Teaching and Learning Method will include a mixture of informal lectures, group work and self directed learning. A particularly high level of student participation is expected at level three. Handouts outlining key issues may also be used to encourage a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. Visual aids such as video footage may also accompany some sessions.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential Texts
Lundestad, G. (1999) East-West-North-South: Major developments in international politics 1945-1990 Oxford University Press
Recommended Reading
English, R. & Kenny, M. eds. (2000) Rethinking British Decline, Macmillan
Held, D. Goldblatt, D. & Perraton, J. eds. (1999) Global transformations: politics, economics, & culture Polity Press
Tiratsoo, N. ed. (1997) From Blitz to Blair: a new history of Britain since 1939, Weidenfeld & Nicholson
Walker, M. (1994) the Cold War. Vintage
Other Indicative Reading
Barnett, C. (1996) The audit of War: the illusion and reality of Britain as a Great Nation, Pan
Barret, E. & Tindale, S. eds. (1998) Britain in Europe, Institute of Policy Research
Boyce, D.G. (1999) Decolonisation and the British Empire 1775-1997, MacMillan
Broad, R., Kandish, M. and Staerck, G. eds. (2002) Britain and Europe, Institute of Contemporary British History
Busch, P. (2003) All the way with JFK? Britain and Kennedy’s war in Vietnam, OUP
Cairncross, A. (1995) The British economy since 1945, Blackwell
Carlton, D. (1988) Britain and the Suez crisis, Blackwell
Darwin, J. (1988) Britain and decolonisation: the retreat from Empire in the Post-War world, Macmillan
Gamble, A. (1994) Britain in decline: economic policy, political strategy and the British State, Macmillan
Garner, R. (1998) Environmental politics: Britain, Europe and the global environment, Macmillan
Giddens, A. (1998) The Third Way: the renewal of social democracy, Polity P.
Greenwood, S. (2000) Britain and the Cold War, Macmillan
Held, D. & McGrew, A. eds. (2000) The global transformations reader, Polity P.
Hennessy, P. (2002) The secret state: Whitehall and the Cold War, Penguin
Hirst, P. & Thompson, (1999) Globalization in question: the international economy and the possibilities of governance, Polity P.
Hobsbawm, E. (1995) Age of Extremes: the short twentieth century, Abacus
Krieger, J. (1999) British politics in the global age: can social democracy survive Polity P.
Lefler, M. & Painter, D. eds. (1994) Origins of the Cold War: an international history, Routledge
Luard, E. (1990) The globalisation of politics: the change basis of political action in the modern world , Macmillan 
Ludlow, N. P. (1997) Dealing with Britain: the Six and the First UK application to the EEC, Cambridge University Press
McIntyre, W. D. (1998) British decolonisation 1946-1997: when, why and how did the British Empire fall, Macmillan
Newman, M. (1996) Democracy, sovereignty and the European Community, C. Hiurst & Co.
Pearson, J. (2002) Sir Anthony Eden and the Suez crisis: reluctant gamble, Macmillan
Varble, D. (2003) The Suez crisis 1956. Osprey
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our common future, OUP
Last Updated
22nd February 2007